Today we’d like to introduce you to Newt Cole.
Newt, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was an athlete and artist throughout high school and college. Right after school, in my early twenties, I moved to Los Angeles and dedicated myself to a career in the music industry. Fast forward to 1999, after a decade of playing late night gigs in smokey bars and touring, I was now living in Chicago and working out at Quads Gym when the time would allow. I was talking with the owner, Dave DeYoung, telling him how tired and burnt out I was with the musician lifestyle and looking for an alternative. He offered me a job on the spot, “See you tomorrow at 5:45 am” and that was it. I instantly went from going to bed at 5:00 am, to set an alarm for 5:00 am and starting a fresh, new chapter. I was managing the largest free-weight facility in the Midwest and returning to my athletic side. Two years later, I acquired my first personal training certification and started building a client base. Fast forward eleven more years and thousands of hours on the training floor with friends and clients, helping them overcome fears and self-made fitness limitations. I had found my path as a coach and friend. Nurturing my clients with positivity, honesty and friendship was the most rewarding thing I had done in my life. In May of 2012, I now felt it was time to open my own training studio, Morning Bird Studio in Lakeview. I was incredibly fortunate to be supported by so many positive friends and clients who had been with me for years and were as excited as I was to see my vision come to fruition. If it wouldn’t have been for them, Morning Bird Studio wouldn’t have happened and I’m forever thankful to each and every one who helped me make the leap.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s a bit daunting opening your own business. I’ll be honest, I had a few sleepless nights after signing my first lease. The past six years have been an ever-evolving journey, with the occasional unexpected complication, whether it be a building maintenance issue or snafu. Solving these situations adds to the personal value of the entire experience as a business owner. Being able to tackle and solve these problems head on makes you appreciate what you’ve created.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Morning Bird Studio – what should we know?
Morning Bird Studio is a full-service fitness and wellness studio offering custom-designed personal training in two formats -individual (one-on-one) and mini-group personal training. In addition to these programs, we offer sport-specific seasonal workshops, online coaching and fitness events. We are educators and coaches, sharing our knowledge with the community, one session at a time. Fitness can be daunting and we’re here to help demystify the process. Our mission is to get our clients stronger, healthier and happier in an inspiring environment. Every session is an opportunity to break down ones physical and mental boundaries to reach new personal bests confidently amongst like minds. We are a home base for competitive cyclists, runners, stand-up paddle boarders and everything in between. We believe that even while living in a city, actively enjoying outdoor sports and hobbies is a necessity. Our studio serves as a launch pad towards improving at the things we love to do. Our unique training systems are a result of over thirty years of practical fitness and racing experience. The 12 state championship bike racing jerseys won by our birds prove this system’s value.
We are extremely proud of the community and culture of Morning Bird Studio. Our clients train together and support one another in the studio and beyond to prepare themselves for everything from neighborhood 5K’s, marathons, and championship bike races and most importantly life. We celebrate together and share our tales and adventures at the occasional holiday taco throw-down or post-race after party. It’s absolutely my favorite thing in The Bird when non-competitive, neighborhood folks are training side by side with elite athletes, judgment-free and supporting each other in their personal fitness quests.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My honesty and sincerity to my approach to working with my clients. I’m a nurturer on the training floor and it’s important for me to have my clients understand the process and feel better about themselves every single time they leave Morning Bird after their sessions. I take my clients goal sets and challenges personally, so I feel incredibly rewarded when they succeed.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3519 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657 - Website: morningbirdchicago.com
- Phone: 773-391-6398
- Email: newtroncole@gmail.com
- Instagram: @newtroncole
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morningbirdstudio/
- Twitter: @morningbirdchi
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
